Substrates for cell cultivation based on thermosensitive imidazole copolymers

Abstract. Cell cultures are needed in various fields: the study of cell structure and function, models in drug screening, and other biomedical applications. Most tissue-derived cells can only grow on solid substrates. Thus, cell culturing involves three steps: cell adhesion on the surface, cell growth and division on the surface, and cell detachment from the surface for further use. Thermo- and pH-sensitive polymers are promising substances for cell culture coatings. Changes in temperature and/or pH can drastically change surface properties, resulting in gentle cell detachment. We synthesized copolymers with pendant imidazole and hydrophobic groups that exhibit the properties of weak polymeric bases capable of thermosensitivity due to hydrophobic interactions. Plastic surface can easily be coated with copolymers by pouring over the copolymer solution. The modified plastic surface is a good substrate for culturing adenocarcinomic human alveolar epithelial cells. The cells show strong adhesion to the copolymer film and high viability after detachment under the influence of temperature and/or pH changes.